Whistler’s Pangea Pod Hotel prepares for Spring opening (PHOTOS)

Scheduled to open this spring, the hotel will include 88 self-contained sleeping pods divided among several custom suites (see graphic below). Each pod contains a double mattress, soft LED lighting, individually-controlled fan to help circulate air and create white noise, USB and standard charging points, a lockable cabinet for valuables and electronics, hangers for clothes, hooks for towels, a storage area for luggage, artwork, mirrors and free WiFi. Instead of a door, each pod has a curtain to provide privacy. The hotel will eventually offer all-female suites upon demand. Whistler’s Pangea Pod Hotel prepares for Spring opening (PHOTOS)

To keep your family active and engaged when you are in a hotel far from home, talk to the concierge when you check in to get a list of nearby attractions. At the end of each day, sit down and map out a plan for the next morning. This gives you more vacation time and less time sitting in front of a television waiting to decide what to do.

To ensure that you get the best service from the custodial staff at a hotel, leave a few dollars each morning for each bed that you use. This nominal cost will help you get rooms that receive the little extras, such as a towel or two more, or even an extra pillow.

To make sure that you don't have an allergic reaction to the soaps and shampoos that you find in hotel rooms, bring your own, particularly if you have sensitive skin. While it's nice to find the freebies, the rash that sometimes results is quite unpleasant. Take along your own things to keep things clean.

When planning a vacation, be sure to make all of your hotel reservations well in advance. In this way, you can lock in lower rates. If you have some flexibility regarding when you take your vacation, be sure to find out about off season rates. Very often, the rate you pay in non-peak times of year is significantly lower.

One way to save money when traveling is to search for a hotel that offers a free continental breakfast. This can save you a lot of money if you are staying for a week. Many of the top hotel chains offer large continental breakfasts consisting of breakfast meats, pastries and drinks.

Check out your room ahead of unpacking. Is the room clean? Do you see any mold or mildew? Does your shower, sink, and toilet work in the right way? Are there enough linens and towels? If you quickly note any problems, let the person at the front desk know so they can help you sort it out or give you a better room.

If you know that you will need to make phone calls from your hotel room, check to make sure you will have free Wi-Fi service. Rather than using the in-room phone, and getting charged an arm and a leg, use an Internet phone service that is free. For example, both Skype and Line are possibilities.

You should always find out how much hotel transfers will cost before you book a room. If you're getting what appears to be a nice deal on the room, these types of hidden charges can sometimes surface. Inquiring about this in advance will maximize any savings.

It is not a good idea to place the "maid service needed" sign on your door at a hotel. This is a dead giveaway that you are not in the room. It can attract people who want to steal your valuables. It is better to notify the desk when you need maid service than to leave out the sign.

It is important that you find out how often rooms are vacuumed in a hotel. It may sound silly, but it isn't. Some places use a small sweeper to gather large particles. Many times, they only vacuum when the room is really messy. You should try to get a room that has been recently vacuumed so that it gathers the particles that you cannot see.

Beware of the bottle of water beside your bed. Many hotels charge as much as 10 dollars for that bottle of water. Other items that you may not realize you will be charged for include: pool towels, newspapers and Internet access. To ensure you are not being charged for items you do not want read the fine print.

When booking hotel rooms on a discount site, keep in mind that you will not be given any of the best rooms at the hotel. Since many discount site users are not likely to visit again unless a similar deal is presented, the better rooms are saved for guests who are paying full price.

Rely on ratings and reviews more than overall stars. Star ratings can be very deceiving these days. It's better to rely on what honest people have to say about the hotel. Ratings and even more importantly reviews offer that. Dig through them before deciding on which hotel to stay at.

To be a "green" hotel guest, check your bathroom counter and bed for a sign about how to keep the maids from taking your towels away each day. Usually, if you hang your linens up, they will stay in the room, but if you leave them on the floor, the maids will take them and give you clean ones.

Always ask for a room upgrade at check-in time. You may be able to upgrade to a larger room or one with a better view by simply asking. Other times you may be able to get an upgrade to a room for a small fee. The best time to check-in is either right at check-in time or late night.

Read reviews on hotels before you book your rooms. Sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor have reviews from travelers who share their experiences and rate the accommodations. A hotel that just has a couple of reviews may not present an accurate picture, but if many reviews have a common opinion about a hotel, you can rely on that more.

There is no need to be overwhelmed by booking a hotel anymore. The tips above are perfect for helping you find a great room at a great price. So remember them and put them into action the next time you are booking a hotel room. Then you can relax, knowing that you are set.